Modification of ethylenically unsaturated polymers with polyfunctional quaternary amidoximidinium salts

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to the modification of ethylenically unsaturated polymers using polyfunctional quaternary amidoximidinium salts as the modifying agents. These salts are precursors to the corresponding polyfunctional nitrile N-oxides and the latter, upon being generated from the salt precursors, are the active modifying agents in the modification process. Representative of these salts is terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride).

United States Patent Breslow Feb. 20, 1973 MODIFICATION OF ETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED POLYMERS WITH POLYFUNCTIONAL QUATERNARY AMIDOXIMIDINIUM SALTS Inventor: David S. Breslow, Wilmington, Del.

Assignee: Hercules Incorporated, Wilmington,

Del.

Filed: May 5, 1972 Appl. No.: 250,774

U.S. Cl ..204/159.18, 96/115 R, 204/l59.l4, 204/l59.l9, 204/160.l, 260/80.7, 260/83.3, 260/85.1, 260/85.7, 260/87.3, 260/88.2 D, 260/88.3 R, 260/9l.3 VA, 260/92.3,

260/94.2 R, 260/94.7 A, 260/295 AM,

260/295 Q, 260/295 S, 260/297 R, 260/468 R, 260/482 R, 260/564 R, 260/837 R Int. Cl. ..B0lj 1/00, C08d l/OO Field of Search ..204/l59.l4, 159.18; 260/295 AM, 837 R, 295 Q, 297 R, 295 S; 96/115 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,647,444 3/1972 Borden et al. ..96/l 15 R 3,390,204 6/1968 Breslow ..260/83.3 2,940,851 6/l960 Beavers et al. ..260/295 AM Primary Examiner.lohn C. Bleutge Assistant Examiner-Richard B. Turer AttorneyMarion C. Staves et al.

[57] ABSTRACT 14 Claims, No Drawings MODIFICATION OF ETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED POLYMERS WITH POLYFUNCTIONAL QUATERNARY AMIDOXIMIDINIUM SALTS This invention relates to polymer modification utilizing as modifying agents a certain class of compounds which are polyfunctional nitrile N-oxide precursors.

More particularly, this invention relates to the use of polyfunctional quaternary amidoximidinium salts as modifying agents in the modification of ethylenically unsaturated polymers.

Polyfunctional nitrile N-oxides and their polyfunctional hydroximoyl halide precursors are known. Reference may be made to US. Pat. No. 3,390,204 to Breslow. The nitrile N-oxides may be generated from the hydroximoyl halides either by the application of heat or by treatment with a stoichiometric amount of base. However, generation by the application of heat involves thermal decomposition of the hydroximoyl halide to the nitrile N-oxide and hydrogen halide, which is acidic and which can therefore have an undesirable effeet on some polymeric materials, such as cellulose derivatives. In generating the nitrile N-oxide by means of a base, the base acts to remove hydrogen halide from the hydroximoyl halide precursor, but some basic materials also can have a degrading action on polymers containing functional groups such as ester groups.

Furthermore, since stoichiometric amounts of base are required to generate the nitrile N-oxides from their polyfunctional hydroximoyl halide precursors, the latter can not be effectively used in the cross-linking of unsaturated polymers in applications wherein only q small amount of base will be present at any one time. For example, in a graphic arts system, the base needed to form the polyfunctional nitrile N-oxide must be photochemically generated. Thus, the amount of base that is formed is limited by the light intensity. Another limitation to the polyfunctional nitrile N-oxide precursors previously known is that they generally are not water soluble and therefore cannot be effectively used in aqueous systems.

Now in accordance with this invention, it has been found that ethylenically unsaturated polymers may be modified using a specific class of polyfunctional nitrile N-oxide precursors which have thermal stability and which can be converted into the corresponding polyfunctional nitrile N-oxides by contact with only catalytic amounts, rather than stoichiometric amounts, of basic materials. Furthermore, many of these precursors are water-soluble and, accordingly, are useful in aqueous systems. The polyfunctional compounds which are useful as modifying agents in accordance with this invention have the formulas wherein R is an organic radical having a valence greater than 1,

b is Zero or I, NR'R"R corresponds to a tertiary organic amine having a dissociation constant greater than 1 X 10' as determined at 25 C., Z is chloride, bromide or iodide, n and m are 1 to 3, c and d are zero or 1, with 0 being 1 when d is zero, and with d being 1 when c is zero, and X is the anion of an acid having a dissociation constant greater than 1.0 X 10' as determined at 25 C., the number of Xs being equal to the number of NR'R"R s when X is monovalent and being equal to one-half the number of NRRR"' s when X is divalent. Representative of X are the chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, perchlorate sulfate trifluoroacetate, tosylate, methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, benzenedisulfonate and methosulfate anions.

Generally, R will be selected from the group consisting of the hydrocarbon, halide substituted hydrocarbon, hydrocarbonoxy-hydrocarbon, hydrocarbon-thiohydrocarbon and hydrocarbonsulfonyl-hydrocarbon polyvalent radicals. In preferred embodiments of this invention R is a divalent hydrocarbon radical selected from the group consisting of alkylene radicals such as, for example, ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, octamethylene, decamethylene, dodecamethylene and octadecamethylene; arylene radicals such as 0-, mand pphenylene, halogenated o-, mand p-phenylene, biphenylene and naphthylene; cycloalkylene radicals such as cyclohexylene, cyclopentylene, cyclooctylene and cyclobutylene; arylene-dialkylene radicals such as o-, mand p-xylylene and o-, m-, and p-phenylenediethylene; alkylene-diarylene radicals such as methylene-bis(o-, mand p-phenylene) and ethylenebis(o-, mand p-phenylene); cycloalkylene-dialkylene radicals such as 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene and l,2- and 1,3-cyclopentanedimethylene; alkylene-oxy-alkylene radicals such as ethyleneoxyethylene; arylene-oxy-arylene radicals such as phenyleneoxyphenylene; alkarylene-oxy-alkarylene radicals such as methylenephenyleneoxyphenylenemethylene; and the corresponding thio and sulfonyl radicals such as ethylene-thioethylene, phenylenethiophenylene, phenylenemethylenethiomethylenephenylene, and butylenesulfonylbutylene.

The modifying agents of this invention may be prepared by reaction of polyfunctional hydroximoyl halides of the formulas V NOH with tertiary amines of the formula NR'R"R. In these formulas, the designations are the same as in the formulas given earlier for the modifying agents of this invention. The reaction generally is carried out at room temperature and in the presence of a solvent. The tertiary amine will have a dissociation constant greater than 1 X 10- as determined at 25 C., since if the amine is not sufficiently basic the quaternary amidoximidinium salt will not be formed. The tertiary amine ordinarily will be used in an amount sufficient to displace all of the halogen, Z, in the hydroximoyl halide reactant. However, complete displacement depends upon the solvent used. In a solvent such as methanol, all of the c lnln in cases where the nitrile N-oxides are sufficiently stable. Treatment of the polyfunctional nitrile N-oxide with tertiary amines of the formula NR'R"R" followed by treatment with HX or H X produces the modifying agents of this invention. In these formulas the designations are the same as in the formulas given earlier for the modifying agents of this invention. The reaction generally is carried out at room temperature and in the presence of a solvent. In the case of nitrile N- oxides not possessing suitable stability at room temperature, it is desirable to use lower temperatures for the reaction.

Some of the modifying agents of this invention, where b is 1, may also be prepared from polyfunctional ammonium salts of the formulas and where the designations are as before. Treatment of these salts with nitrosating agents such as isopropyl nitrite, n-amyl nitrite or sodium nitrite and hydrochloric acid in a suitable solvent gives the desired products.

The tertiary amines used in preparing the modifying agents of this invention will contain at east three carbon atoms and may contain up to a total of forty carbon atoms. In these tertiary amines R, R" and R may be monovalent hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon groups, and these may be alkyl radicals, preferably containing one to 20 carbon atoms, such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, n-dodecyl and octadecyl; or cycloalkyl radicals such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclooctyl and cyclo-dodecyl. One, but only one, of R, R" and R' may be a substituent containing an aromatic ring or a related ring such as furyl. The aromatic substituents may be aryl radicals, preferably having one to three rings, such as phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl and anthryl; substituted aryl radicals, wherein the substituent may be halogen, alkoxy, nitro, cyano and carboalkoxy, such as in the chlorophenyl, methyoxyphenyi, nitrophenyl and cyanophenyl radicals; alkaryl radicals, preferably hav ing one or more alkyl groups containing one to 20 carbon atoms and having one to three rings in the aryl groups, such as, for example, tolyl and octadecylnaphthyl; and similar aralkyl radicals such as benzyl and naphthylhexamethylene. Specific examples of suitable tertiary organic amines are trimethylamine, triethylamine, tri-n-propylamine, tri-n-butylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, N-ethyl-N-methylaniline, benzyldibutylamine, N-benzyl-N-butyl-aniline, N,N-diethyl- N-(2-furyl)amine and N-(2-ethoxyethyl)-N-propyl-4- methoxyanilinev Any two of the R substituents in the tertiary organic amine may be combined in the form of a cyclic structure such as that existing in pyrrolidine, piperidine and morpholine. Representative tertiary amines containing these structures are N-phenylpyrrolidine, N-butylpiperidine, and N-benzylmorpholine. Additionally, all three of the R substituents may be combined in a cyclic structure such as that existing in quinuclidine and 3- hydroxyquinuclidine. All three of the R substituents in the tertiary organic amine also may be combined to provide a heteroaromatic system. Representative of this type of tertiary amine are pyridine, substituted pyridines, such as 2,6-lutidine, Z-methylpyridine, 3- methylpyridine, 4-methylpyridine, 4-benzylpyridine, 4- methoxypyridine and 3-cyanopyridine, as well as benzopyridines and substituted derivatives thereof, such as quinoline, isoquinoline, Z-methylquinoline, l-

phenylisoquinoline, 4-methoxyquinoline, 5- methylisoquinoline, phenanthradine, acridine, 2- methylacridine and 3-methoxyacridine. These heteroaromatic amines are a preferred class of tertiary amines, since they provide quaternary amidoximidinium salts which are more stable than those provided by some of the other tertiary organic amines.

Representative of the modifying agents of this invention are the poly(hydroximoyl quaternary ammonium halides) and the polyfunctional carbonyl hydroximoyl quaternary ammonium halides and related salts, such as bis(glyoxylohydroximoyl pyridinium chloride), methylene-bis(glyoxylohydroximoyl pyridinium chloride), ethylenebis(glyoxylohydroximoyl triisopropylammonium chloride), tetramethylenebis(glyoxylohydroximoyl 2,6-lutidinium bromide), pentamethylene-bis( glyoxylohydroximoyl dimethylphenylammonium methanesulfonate), 1,2,3- propane-tris-(glyoxylohydroximoyl Zmethylpyridinium nitrate), l,2,4-pentane-tris(glyoxylohydroximoyl methyldibenzylammonium bromide), 1,4-cyclohexanebis( glyoxylohydroxim oyl 4-benzylpyridinium perchlorate), p-phenylene-bis-(acetohydroximoyl benzyldibutylammonium chloride), 2,2'-thiabis(acetohydroximoyl 4-methoxypyridinium) sulfate, 3,3-thia-bis(propionohydroximoyl benzylbutylphenylammonium chloride), oxalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride), oxalo-mono(hydroximoyl chloride)-mono(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride), isophthalo-bis-(hydroximoyl 3-cyanopyridinium iodide), terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride), 4,4'-bis(benzohydroximoyl ethylmethylphenylammonium tosylate), 4,4'- methylenebis(benzohydroximoyl quinolinium chloride), 4,4-oxabis(benzohydroximoyl tri-n-butylammonium trifluoroacetate), 3,3'-thia-bis(benzohydroximoyl 2- methylquinolinium chloride), p-phenylene-bis(glyoxylohydroximoyl isoquinolinium methosulfate), 4,4- bis(phenylglyoxylohydroximoyl phenanthradinium chloride), 4,4'-methylene-bis(phenylglyoxylohydroximoyl acridinium chloride), and the related quaternary ammonium derivatives of the ethylene glycol,

tetramethylene glycol, 1,4-cyclohexylene glycol and resorcinol esters of chloroximinoglyoxylic acid.

As mentioned earlier, the modifying agents of this invention are precursors to polyfunctional nitrile N-oxides. Due to their comparatively high thermal stability, these precursors are only slowly converted to the corresponding nitrile N-oxides by exposure to elevated temperatures. Therefore, these precursors preferably are converted to the corresponding nitrile N-oxides by the action of an alkaline material which is reactive with HX or H X, where X is the acid anion shown in the structural formulas for the modifying agents of this invention. The alkaline material acts by abstracting HX or H X from the precursor compounds, thus leading to conversion of the precursor compounds to the corresponding nitrile N-oxides. Only a catalytic amount of the added alkaline material is needed to effect the initial abstraction of HX or H X. This apparently results in the formation of an intermediate quaternary ammonium compound which is an inner salt. This intermediate then loses tertiary amine, thus providing additional alkaline material which acts to create more nitrile N-oxide.

These reactions may be illustrated by the following equations:

NOH

(catalytic amount) The tertiary amine formed in accordance with the last reaction then enters into the first reaction in place of sodium hydroxide as the alkaline material, and the reactions are repeated over and over with the liberated amine acting as the alkaline material.

Representative alkaline materials are the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkoxides, carbonates and salts of weak carboxylic acids, alkaline earth metal oxides, alkali metal fluorides, ammonia and organic amines. The alkyl group in the alkoxides normally will contain from one to twenty carbon atoms. Similarly, the carboxylic acids used in preparing the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts will contain from one to twenty carbon atoms. The organic amines may be primary, secondary or tertiary and generally will be characterized by a dissociation constant greater than 1.0 X as determined at 25 C. The more weakly basic amines, such as pyridine and aniline, are more effective at elevated temperatures, for example, 50 to 95 C., whereas the more strongly basic amines, such as triethylamine, are effective at room temperature. The amount of alkaline material used will be at least 0.1 percent by weight but, more generally will be from about 2 to about 50 percent by weight, preferably from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight based on the precursor compounds used as modifying agents in accordance with this invention.

The polyfunctional nitrile N-oxides derived from the modifying agents of this invention may be used to effect modification of ethylenically unsaturated polymers. The extent of modification may be either low, resulting in some increase in molecular weight of the polymer, or

high, in which case the polymer is cross-linked and, accordingly, insoluble in hydrocarbon solvents. Any polymer containing ethylenic unsaturation wherein there is at least one hydrogen radical attached to at least one of the carbon atoms of the ethylenic double bond can be modified utilizing the compounds of this invention. Among the polymers which can be modified in this manner are polybutadiene-1,2, polybutadiene- 1,4, styrene-butadiene copolymers, isobutyleneisoprene copolymers, natural rubber, polyester resins, such as maleateand fumarate-containing polyesters, butadieneacrylonitrile copolymers, ethylene propylenedicyclopentadiene terpolymers, polychloroprene, polyisoprene, unsaturated polyurethanes, unsaturated alkyd resins such as tall oil alkyd resins, polyether copolymers and terpolymers containing at least two unsaturated epoxide constituents such as propylene oxideallyl glycidyl ether copolymers and ethylene oxide--epichlorohydrinallyl glycidyl ether terpolymers, unsaturated poly(vinyl alcohol) partial esters, unsaturated poly-(vinyl alcohols) such as the allyl ethers of poly(vinyl alcohol), unsaturated cellulose esters and ethers such as allyl modified hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl celluloses, unsaturated poly- (acylamide) copolymers, unsaturated poly(carboxylic acid) esters, unsaturated sulfonic acid polymers and unsaturated poly(vinyl-pyrrolidone) copolymers, as well as appropriate blends of these polymers with each other. In addition to the olefinically unsaturated polymers, polymers containing acetylenic unsaturation can be used. In some cases it may be desirable to use partially hydrogenated products of the above unsaturated polymers.

The modification reaction is carried out by uniformly mixing the unsaturated polymer with a precursor compound of this invention and then preferably contacting the resulting mixture with an alkaline material. However, modification in the absence of alkaline material can be made to occur slowly by maintaining the admixture of unsaturated polymer and precursor compound at an elevated temperature. The amount of the precursor compound added will depend on the amount of modification desired. While from about 0.01 percent to about 50 percent by weight based on the polymer can be used, between about 0.1 and about 35 percent by weight based on the polymer is preferred. To effect cross-linking of the unsaturated polymer to an insoluble form, the amount of precursor compound normally will be from about 0.5 percent to about 35 percent, preferably from about 10 percent to about 25 percent by weight based on the polymer. The precursor compound is brought into uniform contact with the unsaturated polymer by blending or admixing the ingredients in any desired fashion. For example, they can be milled together in a conventional rubber mill. Also, the ingredients can be dissolved in a suitable solvent and then admixed with an alkaline material to initiate the modification reaction. Many of the precursor compounds are particularly suitable for modifying polymers which are water-soluble, since these compounds have suitable solubility in water and also have high thermal stability in aqueous systems.

The rate of modification will depend somewhat on the temperature at which the unsaturated polymer, the precursor compound and the alkaline material are contacted. For any given composition the rate generally will increase with increasing temperatures, and satisfactory temperatures are those from about 20 C. to about 150 C. Also, as already indicated in connection with use of organic amines as alkaline materials, weakly basic alkaline materials may require more elevated temperatures than strongly basic materials to obtain a desirable rate of modification. The same consideration is applicable with respect to the precursor compounds. Since the tertiary amine components of these compounds supply the additional alkaline material needed to create more nitrile N-oxide, after the reaction of the precursor compound with the added alkaline material has been initiated, the rate of modification will depend upon the effectiveness of the liberated tertiary amine as an alkaline material. For example, a precursor compound which is a pyridinium salt will give a better rate of modification if the reaction is carried out at a more elevated temperature, for example,

' glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycols, phthalates, adipates, sebacates, fatty acid esters of pentaerythritol and fatty acid esters of dipentaerythritol; stabilizers; adhesive promoters and pigments.

When the modification reaction is one of cross-linking, the cross-linked polymers are hard, tough resins which are substantially insoluble in water and hydrocarbon solvents. They exhibit improved tensile properties over their uncured counterparts. These polymers are useful in various applications such as protective and decorative coatings for various substrates, including wood, metals, paper and plastics, and as ingredients in tubing, pipes and other rubber articles. In the case of aqueous solutions of water-soluble polymers, application of the cross-linking technique results in the formation of stable gels.

The following examples will further illustrate the modifying agents of this invention and their use in the modification of unsaturated polymers. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise noted.

' EXAMPLE 1 To a solution of 2.02 parts terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl chloride) (U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,204) in 198.0 parts of methanol was added 1.63 parts of pyridine. After stirring overnight, the clear solution was evaporated under reduced pressure until a white solid formed. This was collected by filtration, washed with methanol, and dried under vacuum to give 1.58 parts of white solid melting at 220 C. with decomposition. The analysis of this material was as follows: Carbon 53.9 percent; Hydrogen 4.27 percent; Nitrogen 14.0 percent; Hydrolyzable Chlorine 17.9 percent. Ca1- culated for terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride), C, H, Cl N O,: Carbon 55.3 percent; Hydrogen 4.12 percent; Nitrogen 14.3 percent; Chlorine 18.1 percent.

EXAMPLE 2 To a solution of 2.01 parts of terephthalobis(hydrox-imoy1 chloride) in 158.4 parts of methanol was added 1.97 parts of 2,6-lutidine. After 45 minutes, the solution was evaporated under reduced pressure to give an off-white solid which was washed with methanol. After drying, 0.94 part of material analyzing as follows was obtained: Carbon 58.0 percent; Hydrogen 5.18 percent; Nitrogen 12.4 percent; Hydrolyzable Chlorine 15.8 percent. Calculated values for terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl 2,6-lutidinium chloride), C, H Cl N O are: Carbon 59.1 percent; Hydrogen 5.41 percent; Nitrogen 12.5 percent; Chlorine 15.8 percent.

EXAMPLE 3 To a solution of M20 parts of sodium iodide in 950.0 parts of acetone was added 100.0 parts of terephthalo-bis-(hydroximoyl chloride) and the solution refluxed 30 minutes. The solid (NaCl) was separated by filtration and the filtrate evaporated under reduced pressure to give a yellow solid. This was washed several times with hexane. After two recrystallizations from acetonitrile there was obtained 36.0 parts of yellow solid having a melting point of 157 with decomposition and prior discoloration.

To a solution of 30.0 parts of this terephthalo-bis- (hydroximoyl iodide) in 2376.0 parts of methanol was added 12.8 parts of pyridine. After stirring one hour, the solution was evaporated under reduced pressure until a yellow solid formed. This was collected by vacuum filtration and washed with methanol to give 30.0 parts of yellow solid. A sample recrystallized from methanol melted at 157-l60 and analyzed as follows: Carbon 37.2 percent; Hydrogen 2.88 percent; Iodine 44.5 percent; Nitrogen 9.43 percent. The calculated values for terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium iodide), C I-l l N O are: Carbon 37.6 percent; Hydrogen 2.81 percent; iodine 44.2 percent; Nitrogen 9.76 percent.

EXAMPLE4 To a solution of 10.0 parts of terephthalobis(hydroximoyl chloride) in 88.8 parts of tetrahydrofuran was added 9.8 parts of pyridine. After three days, the mixture was filtered to give 12.9 parts of a water-soluble, off-white solid. The material analyzed as follows: Carbon 50.8 percent; Hydrogen 3.67 percent; Chlorine 20.8 percent; Nitrogen 13.2 percent. The calculated values for terephthalomono(hydroximoyl chloride )-mono(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride), C H Cl N O are: Carbon 50.0 percent; Hydrogen 3.55 percent; Nitrogen 13.5 percent; Chlorine 22.7 percent.

EXAMPLE 5 To a solution of 20.0 parts of adipyl-bis(N-hydroxy formimidoyl bromide) (U.S. Pat. No. 3.390,204) in 200.0 parts of tetrahydrofuran was added 6.0 parts of 4-methylpyridine. After standing overnight, the solution was filtered to give an off-white solid which was washed with tetrahydrofuran. The analysis of this material was as follows: Nitrogen 9.54 percent; Hydrolyzable Bromine 34.7 percent. The calculated values for adipyl-mono(N-hydroxy formimidoyl 4- methylpyridinium bromideemono(N-hydroxy formimidoyl bromide), C H,-,N O Br are: Nitrogen 9.33 percent; Bromine 35.4 percent.

EXAMPLE 6 To a solution of 30.0 parts of the tetramethylene bis(ester) of oxalomonohydroximoyl chloride (U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,204) in 600.0 parts of ethyl acetate was added 26.0 parts of N,N-dimethylaniline in 100.0 parts of ethyl acetate. The pale solid which formed was isolated by filtration and washed with ethyl acetate. Recrystallization from ethyl acetate gave an off-white solid which analyzed as follows: Nitrogen 10.2 percent; Hydrolyzable Chlorine 13.4 percent. The calculated values for the tetramethylene bis(ester) of oxalomonohydroximoyl dimethylphenylammonium chloride, C ,H N Cl O are: Nitrogen 10.3 percent; Chlorine 13.1 percent.

EXAMPLE 7 To a solution of 50.0 parts of 4,4-bis(chloroacetyl)- diphenyl ether in 1000.0 parts of ethanol was added 42.0 parts of quinoline. The solution was stirred overnight before adding 3000.0 parts of ether to precipitate an off-white solid. This was recrystallized from ethanolether to give 4,4'-oxybis(phenacyl-quinolinium chloride). On analysis, it was found to contain 12.4 percent chlorine. Theory for C ,,H N O Cl is 12.2 percent chlorine.

Ten parts of this material was dissolved in 500.0 parts of ethanol and 6.6 parts of isoamyl nitrite added in small increments. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand overnight before adding 1500.0 parts of ether to precipitate a white solid. This was dissolved in ethanol and reprecipitated with ether to give 4,4'-oxybis(phenylglyoxylohydroximoyl quinolinium chloride). On analysis, this was found to contain 11.3 percent chlorine and 8.52% nitrogen. Calculated values for C ,,H N O Cl are: Chlorine 11.1 percent; Nitrogen 8,76 percent.

EXAMPLE 8 To a solution of 15.0 parts of isophthalo-bis(nitrile N-oxide) [Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan, 38, 335 (1965)] in 500.0 parts of dioxane cooled to 0 C. was added 22.0 parts of l-ethylpiperidine. Addition of 20.0 parts of sulfuric acid (specific gravity 1.83) in 100.0 parts of dioxane caused the formation of a white precipitate. This was isolated by filtration and dried to give material which analyzed as follows: Nitrogen 12.0 percent; Sulfur 6.39 percent. Calculated values for isophthalo-bis( hydroxim oyl 1 -ethylpiperidinium sulfate, C H N O S, are: Nitrogen 11.6 percent; Sulfur 6.61 percent.

EXAMPLE 9 To a solution of 25.0 parts of 4,4'-bis(phenylglyoxylohydroximoyl chloride) (U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,017) in 500.0 parts of ethyl acetate was added 16.0 parts of quinuclidine in 80.0 parts of ethyl acetate. The light tan solid which formed was isolated by filtration. REcrystallization from a large volume of ethyl acetate gave an off-white solid which analyzed as follows:

Nitrogen 9.41 percent; Chlorine 12.3 percent. The calculated values for 4,4-bis(phenylglyoxylohydroximoyl quinuclidinium chloride), C H N,

O Cl are: Nitrogen 9.54 percent; Chlorine 12.1

percent.

EXAMPLE 10 To a solution of 20.0 parts of terephthalo-bis(nitrile N-oxide) (U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,204) in 500.0 parts of dioxane was added 33.0 parts of isoquinoline. Addition of 29.0 parts of nitric acid (specific gravity 142) in 120.0 parts of dioxane caused the separation of an offwhite solid. This was isolated by filtration and recrystallized from ethanol-ether to give material which analyzed as follows: Carbon 56.9 percent; Hydrogen 3.76 percent; Nitrogen 15.2 percent. The calculated values for terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl isoquinolinium nitrate), C I-1 N 0 are: Carbon 57.4 percent; Hydrogen 3.71 percent; Nitrogen 14.9 percent.

EXAMPLE 1 1 To a solution of 2.02 parts of dichloroglyoxime [Gazz. Chim. 1tal., 60, 429 (1930)] in 158.4 parts of methanol was added 2.07 parts of pyridine. The solution rapidly became yellow. After stirring overnight, an off-white solid had separated from the solution. This was isolated by vacuum filtration and washed with methanol to give 0.78 part of solid which did not melt but slowly decomposed above 240 C. The analysis of this material was as follows: Carbon 45.5 percent; Hydrogen 3.88 percent; Nitrogen 17.6 percent; Hydrolyzable Chlorine 22.2 percent. The calculated values for oxalobis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride), C H, CL N4O2, are: Carbon 45.7 percent; Hydrogen 3.84 percent; Nitrogen 17.8 percent; Chlorine 22.5 percent.

EXAMPLE 12 To a solution of two parts dichloroglyoxime in 22.2 parts of tetrahydrofuran was added 2.6 parts of pyridine. After three days at room temperature, the solution was filtered to give 3.2 parts of off-white solid. This was recrystallized by dissolving in 2N HCl and cooling in ice to give material of melting point 202-20 5 C. (with decomposition). The analysis of this material was as follows: Carbon 35.5 percent; Hydrogen 2.90 percent; Nitrogen 17.6 percent; Hydrolyzable Chlorine 29.8 percent. The calculated values for oxalo-mono(hydroximoyl chloride)-mono(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride), C,l-1 C1 N O are: Carbon 35.6 percent; Hydrogen 2.99 percent; Nitrogen 17.8 percent; Chlorine 30.0 percent.

EXAMPLE 13 To a solution of 50.0 parts of dichloroglyoxime in 901.0 parts of ethyl acetate was added 121.5 parts of tri-n-butylamine in 450.5 parts of ethyl acetate. The solution rapidly became yellow and warm and a precipitate formed. This was isolated by filtration after five minutes and washed with ethyl acetate. After drying, 56.0 parts of a white solid was obtained. Two recrystallizations from ethyl acetate gave material of melting point 166-l67 C. which analyzed as follows:

Carbon 51.9 percent; Hydrogen 9.56 percent; Chlorine 23.5 percent; Nitrogen 9.15 percent. The calculated values for the dihydrochloride of oxalobis(hydroximo.yl tri-n-butyl-ammonium chloride), C2 HgCL4N4O2, are: Carbon-52.0 percent; Hydrogen 9.73 percent; Chlorine- 23.6 percent; Nitrogen -9.33 percent.

EXAMPLE 14 To a solution of 10.0 parts of cyanogen N,Nl-dioxide (Ann. Chem., 687,191 (1965)) in 400.0 parts of dichloromethane at 20 C. was added 27.0 parts of 4- methoxypyridine. Addition of 28 parts of trifluoroacetic acid in 100.0 parts of dichloromethane caused the formation of a white precipitate. This was isolated by filtration and washed with several portions of dichloromethane. 0n analysis, this was found to contain 21.4% fluorine and 10.9 percent nitrogen. The calculated values for oxalo-bis(hydroximoyl 4-rnethoxypyridinium trifluoroacetate C H N O F are: Fluorine 21.6 percent; Nitrogen 10.6 percent.

EXAMPLE 15 A solution of 100.0 parts of Gelvatol 1-30 [Monsanto, poly(vinyl alcohol) of M.W. 14,000, from 100 percent hydrolysis of poly(vinyl acetate)] in 1890.0 parts of dried dimethylformamide was prepared by refluxing under nitrogen. To this solution at l00105 C. was added 8.9 parts of pyridine followed by the dropwise addition of a solution of 16.9 parts of S-chlorocarboxynorbornene in 37.8 parts of dimethylformamide. The solution was cooled to 50 C. and precipitated by pouring into 4752.0 parts of acetone. A clear gel was isolated by filtration, dried under vacuum at 40 C. and reprecipitated by dissolving in 850 parts of hot water and pouring into 3168.0 parts of acetone. 73 6/10 parts of a water-soluble, white solid was collected by filtration. Hydrogen uptake of a sample of the solid was 0.1 1 percent.

EXAMPLE16 To a solution of 15.0 parts of terephthaloterephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl 2,6-lutidinium chloride) prepared in Example 2 as the modifying agent. Within 4 minutes at 90 C. the solution had become a stiff gel.

EXAMPLE 18 Example 16 was repeated using 12.0 parts of oxalobis-(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) prepared in Example 11 as the modifying agent. Within 40 minutes at 90 C. the solution had set to a stiff gel.

EXAMPLE 19 Example 16 was repeated substituting 9.0 parts of oxalo-mono(hydroximoyl chloride)-mono(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) prepared in Example 12 as the modifying agent. Within 15 minutes at 90 C. the solution had set to a stiff gel.

EXAMPLE 20 To a solution of 100.0 parts of polymer prepared as in Example 15 in 1000.0 parts of water was added 22.0 parts of the dihydrochloride of oxalo-bis(hydroximoyl tri'n-butylammonium chloride) prepared in Example 13 and the suspension heated at 90 C. Within 40 seconds the solution had set to a stiff gel.

EXAMPLE 21 Example 16 was repeated using 22.0 parts of terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium iodide) prepared in Example 3 as the modifying agent. Within 10 minutes at 90 C. the solution had set to a stiff gel.

EXAMPLES 22-28 TABLE f Gelled within, Example Modifying agent Base minutes 22 Adipyl-mono (N-hydroxy iorrnimidoyl 4-mcthylpyridin- NaHCOa. 1.2 parts 20 ilgrn bzt'omide)-mono(N-hydroxy formimidoyl bromide).

par 5. 23 Tetramethylene bis(0Xalomonohydroximoyl dimethyl- Na CO 1.7 parts"... 11

phenylarninonium chloride), 20 parts. 24.". 4,4 oxylais(phenylglyoxylohydroximoyl quinoliniuin Triethylamine, 073 part.

chloride), 22 parts. 25 IspphthzzJo-bis(hydroximoyl l-ethylpiperidinium) sulfate, NagcO 0.6 part 3 8 par 5. 26 4,4-bis(phenylglyoxylohydroxiinoyl quinuclidiniuln chlo- Pyridine, 0.54 part 4 ride), 23 parts. 27.-.. Tererihthalo-bisfliydroxiinoyl isoquinoliniunr nitrate), 2O Tricthylnniinc, 0.73 part, 12

par s. 28. Oxalo-bis(hydroxinioyl laneihoxypyridizrium trilluoros5 acetate), 16 parts.

Pyridine, 6.04 parts.

bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) prepared as in Example 1 and 100.0 parts of polymer prepared as in Example 15 in 1000.0 parts of water was added 6.94 parts of pyridine and the yellow solution heated at 90 C. Within 2 minutes the solution had gelled.

EXAMPLE 17 Example 16 was repeated substituting 17.0 parts of EXAMPLE 29 dition of excess triethylamine at room temperature caused the formation ofa stiff gel.

EXAMPLE 30 To a solution of 20.0 parts of an allyl-modified hydroxyethylcellulose (allyl D.S. 0.15, hydroxyethyl M.S. 2.67, M.W. 750,000) in 4000.0 parts of water was added 0.1 part of terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) prepared as in Example I and 0.058 part of pyridine. Within five days at room temperature, the solution had formed a loose gel.

EXAMPLE 31 A solution of 50.0 parts polyethylene glycol compound 20-M (Union Carbide, product of reaction of polyethylene glycol of M.W. 6000 with a diepoxide, product M.W. 15,000 20,000) and 0.25 part of pmethoxyphenol in 659.3 parts of benzene was prepared by heating. One third of the solvent was removed by distillation before 1.2 parts of pyridine was added. A solution of 2.36 parts of -chlorocarboxynorbornene in 44.0 parts of benzene was added dropwise, the solution refluxed 2 hours, and then allowed to stand 14 hours at room temperature. The solution was filtered before the polymer was precipitated into 1449.8 parts of hexane. The white solid was reprecipitated twice by dissolving in 439.5 parts of benzene and adding slowly to 1318.0 parts of hexane. The yield was 51.0 parts of a watersoluble, white solid having 0.05 percent hydrogen uptake (theory 0.06 percent).

To a solution of 100.0 parts of this polymer and 15.0 parts of terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) prepared as in Example 1 in 1000.0 parts of water was added 6.94 parts of pyridine and the yellow solution heated at 90 C. Within two and one-half minutes the solution had become a stiff gel.

EXAMPLE32 Nineteen parts of methanesulfonic acid silver salt was dissolved in a solution of 100.0 parts of polymer prepared as in Example in 1000.0 parts of water. To this was added 15.0 parts of terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) prepared as in Example 1. The solution, which was milky due to precipitation of silver chloride, was heated two hours at 80 C.' and allowed to stand overnight without gelling. The addition of excess pyridine gave a yellow color to the solution.

On heating at 80 C., the solution gelled within 70 seconds.

EXAMPLE 33 Example 32 was repeated substituting 18.0 parts of trifluoroacetic acid silver salt for the methanesulfonic acid silver salt. AFter two hours and fifteen minutes at 80 C., the solution had not gelled. Excess pyridine was added, and the solution gelled within 90 seconds at 80 C.

EXAMPLE 34 To a solution of 15.0 parts of terephthalobis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) prepared as in Example 1 and 100.0 parts of polymer prepared as in Example 15 in 1000.0 parts of water was added 0.28 part of sodium fluoride. The solution was heated at C. and gelled within 7 minutes.

EXAMPLE 35 Example 34 was repeated using 1.25 parts of sodium acetate in place of the sodium fluoride. On heating at 90 C., the solution gelled within 2 minutes.

EXAMPLE 36 Example 34 was repeated using 1.42 parts of aniline in place of the sodium fluoride. On heating at 90 C., the solution gelled within 6 minutes.

EXAMPLES 37-41 To compare the stability of bis(hydroximoyl chlorides) with their corresponding quaternary amidoximidinium salts in aqueous systems, the amounts of modifying agent shown in Table II were added to solutions of 100.0 parts of the polymer prepared as in Example 15 in 1000.0 parts of water. The clear solutions (a suspension was used in Example 37 due to the low water solubility of terephthalobis(hydroximoyl chloride)) were heated to 90 C. and checked at intervals for gelation. In Examples 39 and 41, where the thermal stability was such that after the period indicated at 90 C. no evidence of gelation was observed, 6.94 parts of pyridine was then added and the solution reheated to 90 C. until gelation occurred.

TABLE II THERMAL STABILITY OF MODIFYING AGENTS AT 90 C. IN WATER Example Modifying Agent Time Required for Gelation 37 terephthalo-bis- 20 seconds (hydroximoyl chloride) 9 parts 38 terephthalo-bis- 38 minutes (hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) 15 parts 39 terephthalo-bis- 4 hours (hydroximoyl 2,6- lutidinium chloride) 17 parts 40 dichloroglyoxime 40 seconds 6 parts 41 male-bis(hydroximoyl 5 hours pyridinium chloride) 12 parts EXAMPLES 42-46 To illustrate the catalytic action of base in reacting with the nitrile N-oxide precursors of this invention, to solutions containing 100.0 parts of the polymer prepared as in Example 15 in 1000.0 parts of water were added the amounts of modifying agent shown in Table III, followed by the amounts of pyridine indicated. The yellow solutions were then heated at 90 C. and checked at intervals for evidence of gelation. The. data from earlier examples, carried out in the same manner, are included in the table for the purpose of convenient reference.

TABLE 11]. CA'IALYllC EFFECT OF BASE ()N Q UATERNARY AMIDOXIMIDINIUM SALTS Molar ratio, Time modifying required Parts, agent: pyri lorgclutiou, Example l\'lo lilying agent pyridine dine: polymer minutes 1(i 'lorophthalo-l2ls(l1y(h'oxim0yl pyridinium chloride), 15 (3. 04 5. 7:13; 2

parts. 4. .d l. 27 3. 5 -i .do. U. 54 U -l4 .(lo U. 2!) ll 38 ..do N one 3:; 1T 'lcrephthalo-bisihydroximoyl-2,6-lut-1dinium chloride), 17 6.514 1 parts. 15... tiO' 0.2!! (30 OH-U HHVV. None 4 18.. Oxalo-bisthydroxiinoyl pyridinium chloride), 12 parts. 6. J4 -10 46.... .(l() 27 133 None 1 5 EXAMPLE 47 15 EXAMPLE 51 A solution of 21.0 parts of chloropentam- The procedure of Example 50 was essentially minechromium [III] dichloride, [Cr(NH Cl]Cl (Inorg. Syn., 6 138 (1960)), 30.0 parts of terephthalobis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) prepared as in Example 1, and 200.0 parts of polymer prepared as in Example 15 in 800.0 parts of water was cast on grained aluminum with a doctor blade and dried at 60 C. for 12 minutes to give a solid, pink film. This was covered with a negative and taped to an ice-cooled glass surface. The film was exposed through the negative with a 650 watt movie camera light at a distance of inches, for 2 minutes. The exposed film was heated at 70 C. for 10 minutes before dissolving the soluble material in water. A good raised image corresponding to the original negative was obtained.

EXAMPLE 48 A solution of 17.0 parts of terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl 2,6-lutidinium chloride) prepared as in Example 2, 11.0 parts of [Cr(NH Cl]Cl and 200.0 parts of polymer prepared as in Example 15 in 800.0 parts of water was cast on grained aluminum with a doctor blade and dried at 70 C. or six minutes to give a pink, solid film. This was irradiated 10 minutes as in Example 47. After exposure the film was heated at 75 C. for 10 minutes before dissolving the material which was still water-soluble. A good raised image corresponding to the original negative was obtained.

EXAMPLE 49 A solution of 26.0 parts of [Cr(NH ),,Cl]Cl 15.0 parts of terephthalo-mono(hydroximoyl chloride)- mono(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) prepared as in Example 4, and 109.0 parts of polymer prepared as in Example 15 in 1000.0 parts of water was cast on grained Mylar with a doctor blade and dried at 75 C. for 25 minutes to give a solid, pink film. Following generally the procedure of Example 47, the film was exposed for 15 minutes to obtain a good raised image corresponding to the original negative.

EXAMPLE 5 0 Using substantially the same procedure as that of Example 15, Gelvatol -30 [Monsanto, 88-89 percent hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate) of M.W. 10,000} was modified to obtain a polymer containing ethylenic unsaturation. Using this modified polymer, the procedure of Example 49 was substantially duplicated to obtain a good image corresponding to the original negative.

duplicated except to cast the composition on grained aluminum and to use 36.0 parts of {Cr(NH H O] (NO ).,NH in place of the 26.0 parts of [Cr(NH Cl]Cl A good relief image corresponding to the negative was obtained. The same result was obtained when the exposure time was reduced to 5 minutes.

EXAMPLE 52 The procedure of Example 48 was essentially followed except to use a solution containing 20.0 parts of terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl 2,6-lutidinium chloride), 14.0 parts of hexamminecobalt [III] trichloride, [Co(NH ]Cl 55.0 parts of potassium iodide, 200.0 parts of the polymer and 800.0 parts of water. Exposure was for 30 minutes to a 275 watt sunlamp at a distance of eight inches. A good image corresponding to the original negative was obtained.

EXAMPLE 53 The procedure of Example 47 was repeated using a tri-metal plate consisting of a steel base, on which copper had been electroplated to a thickness of 0.0005 inch, and over this very thin film of chromium 0.00005 inch) had been electroplated. After exposure and heating, the soluble portions of the film were removed with water and the plate was covered with a chromium etchant consisting of 40.0 parts of calcium chloride and 10.0 parts of concentrated hydrochloric acid in 100.0 parts ofwater. After 15 minutes, the plate was washed with water. The photoresist then was removed from the image areas by use of a hot solution of 10.0 parts of sodium hydroxide in l00.0 parts of water. The plate was rinsed well with water and dried. When used as a lithographic plate, good prints corresponding to the original image were obtained.

EXAMPLE 54 A solution of 29.0 parts of terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride) prepared as in Example 1, 21.0 parts of [Cr(NH;,) Cl]Cl and 200.0 parts of polymer prepared as in Example 15 in 3800.0 parts of water was whirl-coated onto a grained aluminum lithography plate and dried five minutes at 65 C. The plate so obtained was covered with a negative and exposed as in Example 47 for five minutes. The film was heated at C. for 10 minutes before removing the soluble material by washing with water. The plate was air dried and mounted on a lithographic press. Good prints corresponding to the original image were obtained.

As illustrated by Examples 47 to 54, the modifiable compositions of this invention when formulated to additionally include a photogeneratable base, may be used in the preparation of photopolymer elements. Such elements comprise an adherent support having deposited thereon a solid layer of the aforementioned compositions containing a photogeneratable base. Examples 47 to 52 describe the preparation of printing reliefs. Such reliefs can be used in all classes of printing, but are most applicable to those wherein a distinct difference in height between printing and non-printing areas is required. These classes include those wherein the ink is carried by the raised portion of the relief, such as in dry off-set printing and ordinary letterpress printing. The printing reliefs also are useful as pattern plates in the preparation of conventional lead stereographic printing plates.

In addition to their use in the preparation of printing reliefs, the modifiable compositions containing a photogeneratable base also may be used, as shown in Example 53, as photoresists over an etchable metal. In this instance, a thin layer of the composition containing the photogeneratable base will become insolubilized in irradiated areas and protect the metals beneath from etching, as in a photoengraving process. Similarly, as shown in Example 54, the modifiable compositions containing a photogeneratable base may be used to prepare lithographic plates.

The photogeneratable bases which are useful in the aforementioned compositions are those materials which upon exposure to irradiation with light generate basic materials which are capable of initiating the conversion of the modifying agents of this invention to the corresponding nitrile N-oxides. Such photogeneratable bases include the transition metal ammine complexes which contain ammonia, primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines, heterocyclic amines and polyfunctional amines. Representative amines are methylamine, ethylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, pyridine, ethylenediamine, propylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, and

triethylenetetramine.

Particularly useful are the chromium [III] ammine complexes such as hexamminichromium [llI] trichloride, tribromide or triiodide, chloropentamminechromium [III] dichloride, dinitrate, dibenzenesulfonate or sulfate, iodopentamminechromium [III] diiodide and tris(ethylenediamine)chromium [III] trichloride. Also useful are the corresponding cobalt, rhodium, iridium and platinum ammine complexes.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent l. A modifiable polymer composition comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymer and a polyfunctional quaternary amidoximidinium salt having the formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R is an organic radical having a valence greater than 1,

A is (1- or O-i J, B is (H3,

b is zero or 1, NRRR"' corresponds to a tertiary organic amine having a dissociation constant greater than 1 X 10' as determined at 25 C., Z is chloride, bromide or iodide, n and m are l to 3, c and d are zero or 1, with 0 being 1 when d is zero, and with d being 1 when c is zero, and X is the anion of an acid having a dissociation constant greater than 1.0 X 10' as determined at 25 C., the number of Xs being equal to the number of NRRR s when X is monovalent and being equal to one-half the number of NRRR" s when X is divalent.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the polymer is water soluble.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the salt is terephthalo-mono(hydroximoyl chloride)- mono(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride).

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the salt is terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride).

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the salt is terephthalo-bis( hydroximoyl 2,6-lutidinium chloride).

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the salt is oxalo-mono(hydroximoyl chloride)-mono(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride).

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the salt is oxalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride).

8. The composition of claim 1 containing a photogeneratable base.

9. The composition of claim 8 which has been modified by exposure to light.

10. A photopolymer element comprising a support and a layer comprising the composition of claim 8.

11. The photopolymer element of claim 10 wherein the layer comprising the composition of claim 8 is a relief height-forming layer.

12. The process of modifying an ethylenically unsaturated polymer which comprises uniformly mixing said polymer with from about 0.01 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the polymer, of a polyfunctional quaternary amidoximidinium salt having the formula selected from the group consisting of and contacting the resulting mixture with from about 2 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the polyfunctional quaternary amidoximidinium salt, of an alkaline material reactive with HX or H X, in the formulas for said salt R being an organic radical having a valence greater than 1,

b being zero or-l NR'R"R" corresponding to a tertiary amine having a dissociation constant greater than 1 X l0 as determined at 25 C., Z being chloride, bromide or iodide, n and m being i to 3, c and d being zero being equal to one-half the number of NR'R"R' s when X is divalent.

13. The process of claim 12 wherein the polymer is water soluble.

14. The process of claim 12 wherein the alkaline material is provided by incorporating a photogeneratable base in the mixture of polymer and polyfunctional quaternary amidoximidinium salt and exposing the resulting mixture to light. 

1. A modifiable polymer composition comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymer and a polyfunctional quaternary amidoximidinium salt having the formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R is an organic radical having a valence greater than 1, b is zero or 1, NR''R''''R'''''' corresponds to a tertiary organic amine having a dissociation constant greater than 1 X 10 12 as determined at 25* C., Z is chloride, bromide or iodide, n and m are 1 to 3, c and d are zero or 1, with c being 1 when d is zero, and with d being 1 when c is zero, and X is the anion of an acid having a dissociation constant greater than 1.0 X 10 3 as determined at 25* C., the number of X''s being equal to the number of NR''R''''R'''''' ''s when X is monovalent and being equal to one-half the number of NR''R''''R'''''' ''s when X is divalent.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the polymer is water soluble.
 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the salt is terephthalo-mono(hydroximoyl chloride)-mono(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride).
 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the salt is terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride).
 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the salt is terephthalo-bis(hydroximoyl 2,6-lutidinium chloride).
 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the salt is oxalo-mono(hydroximoyl chloride)-mono(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride).
 7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the salt is oxalo-bis(hydroximoyl pyridinium chloride).
 8. The composition of claim 1 containing a photo-generatable base.
 9. The composition of claim 8 which has been modified by exposure to light.
 10. A photopolymer element comprising a support and a layer comprising the composition of claim
 8. 11. The photopolymer element of claim 10 wherein the layer comprising the composition of claim 8 is a relief height-forming layer.
 12. The process of modifying an ethylenically unsaturated polymer which comprises uniformly mixing said polymer with from about 0.01 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the polymer, of a polyfunctional quaternary amidoximidinium salt having the formula selected from the group consisting of and contacting the resulting mixture with from about 2 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the polyfunctional quaternary amidoximidinium salt, of an alkaline material reactive with HX or H2X, in the formulas for said salt R being an organic radical having a valence greater than 1, b being zero or 1, NR''R''''R'''''' corresponding to a tertiary amine having a dissociation constant greater than 1 X 10 12 as determined at 25* C., Z being chloride, bromide or iodide, n and m being 1 to 3, c and d being zero or 1, with c being 1 when d is zero, and with d being 1 when c is zero, and X being the anion of an acid having a dissociation constant greater than 1.0 X 10 3 as determined at 25* C., the number of X''s being equal to the number of NR''R''''R'''''' ''s when X is monovalent and being equal to one-half the number of NR''R''''R'''''' ''s when X is divalent.
 13. The process of claim 12 wherein the polymer is water soluble. 